Law Societies in Ontario, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia decided that TWU's law degree could not be accredited because the University excludes gays and lesbians. Why was it right for them to deny accreditation? Because, unfortunately, our society remains filled with hatred for sexual minorities. The mass murder of gays and lesbians that occurred last week in Orlando provides a horrific example of what can occur when a country allows one of its constitutional rights to run amok.

Students who can't go to TWU can still go to another law school. But there are no competing law societies to turn to if the government-authorized body bars your way. It should be the marketplace that determines who practices law and who doesn't.

"Oh bloody hell, not this again."

What makes this case especially disconcerting is where freedom of religion is being permitted to trump basic equality. The "where" is a potential law school: the very place where students learn and train to become champions of equality and promoters of justice. Those of us in the legal profession flatter ourselves that the law is one of the greatest tools in advancing justice and in fighting inequality. Before being admitted to the bar, we take an oath to uphold the rule of law and to safeguard the rights and freedoms of all peoples.